As college admissions become ever more competitive, recommendations can make a difference in an applicant's prospects. Although many wind up having no impact, one that thoughtfully explains why a student's grades have dipped, or that reveals a thirst for learning not obvious in the transcript, could be the thing that affects a decision.

A good letter will tell the admissions committee something about you as a person that comes out nowhere else in the application.

To get good recommendations, find people who are familiar with your goals and aspirations and can write about you in vivid detail. Most selective colleges require two teacher recommendations, along with your guidance counselors. An academic teacher who has also known you outside the classroom is generally the best choice. In general, it is best to pick a teacher who respects you as a person and who can testify to some of your deeper and less obvious qualities.

If you’re completely at a loss over whom to ask for a recommendation, talk to your guidance counselor. They often know which teachers write the best letters and can steer you in the right direction.

Your guidance counselor recommendation will be written based upon a personal relationship and your autobiography. The autobiography is a form given to you to fill out to give your guidance counselor information about yourself in order for us to write a recommendation. This will be given out later in the year.

Occasionally, students may want to send along an extra recommendation beyond those requested in the application. An extra one from someone who knows you well may not hurt, especially if the extra recommender can highlight a different facet of your record or personality than the others. A good example may be a coach or a boss.

One final note, if you are a relative or close family friend of someone who gave millions to the college, that may help. If your best friend’s dad is an alumnus, have him write a letter, but don’t get your hopes up. A recommendation from someone who knows you little or not at all—from your local congressman to the President of the United States—is probably worthless.